Method and system for social remixing of media content

ABSTRACT

Systems and methods have been developed for manipulating media assets in a networked computing environment where processing power, bandwidth and/or storage capacity may be limited.

RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Application No.60/758,664, filed Jan. 13, 2006, which application is herebyincorporated herein by reference, and U.S. Provisional Application No.60/790,569, filed Apr. 10, 2006, which application is herebyincorporated herein by reference.

COPYRIGHT NOTICE

A portion of the disclosure of this patent document contains materialwhich is subject to copyright protection. The copyright owner has noobjection to the facsimile reproduction by any-one of the patentdocument or the patent disclosure, as it appears in the Patent andTrademark Office patent file or records, but otherwise reserves allcopyright rights whatsoever.

BACKGROUND

In the current Internet there exist many different types of media assetsin the form of digital files. Digital files may contain datarepresenting one or more types of content, including but not limited to,audio, images, and videos. For example, media assets include fileformats such as MPEG-1 Audio Layer 3 (“MP3”) for audio, JointPhotographic Experts Group (“JPEG”) for images, Motion Picture ExpertsGroup (“MPEG-2” and “MPEG-4”) for video, Adobe Flash for animations, andexecutable files.

Such media assets are currently created and edited using applicationsexecuting locally on a dedicated computer. For example, in the case ofdigital video, popular applications for creating and editing mediaassets include Apple's iMovie and FinalCut Pro and Microsoft'sMovieMaker. After creation and editing a media asset, one or more filesmay be transmitted to a computer (e.g., a server) located on adistributed network such as the Internet. The server may host the filesfor viewing by different users. Examples of companies operating suchservers are YouTube (http://youtube.com) and Google Video(http://video.google.com).

Presently, users must create and/or edit media assets on their clientcomputers before transmitting the media assets to a server. Many usersare therefore unable able to edit media assets from another clientwhere, for example, the user's client computer does not contain theappropriate application or media asset for editing. Moreover, editingapplications are typically designed for professional or high-endconsumer markets. Such applications do not address the needs of averageconsumers who lack dedicated computers with considerable processingpower and/or storage capacity.

Additionally, average consumers typically do not have the transmissionbandwidth necessary to transfer, share or access media assets that maybe widespread across a network. Increasingly, many media assets arestored on computer connected to the Internet. For example, services suchas Getty Images sell media assets (e.g., images) that are stored oncomputers connected to the Internet. Thus, when a user requests a mediaasset for manipulation or editing, the asset is typically transferred inits entirety over the network. Particularly in the case of digitalvideo, such transfers may consume tremendous processing and transmissionresources.

SUMMARY

Against this backdrop systems and methods have been developed formanipulating media assets in a networked computing environment whereprocessing power, bandwidth and/or storage capacity may be limited. Morespecifically, systems and methods have been developed wherebylow-resolution media assets may be created that are optimized fortransfer over low bandwidth networks and for editing and manipulation inan environment with low processing power and low storage capacity, and ahigh-resolution media asset may be created for playback.

In one example (which example is intended to be illustrative and notrestrictive), the present invention may be considered a method forediting a low-resolution media asset to generate a high-resolutionedited media asset. The method includes receiving a request to edit afirst high-resolution media asset from a requester. The method furtherincludes transmitting a low-resolution media asset to the requestor, thelow-resolution media asset based upon the first high-resolution mediaasset. The method includes receiving from the requester an editinstruction associated with the low-resolution media asset. The methodfurther includes generating a second high-resolution media asset basedupon the first high-resolution media asset and the edit instructionassociated with the low-resolution media asset.

In one example (which example is intended to be illustrative and notrestrictive), the present invention may be considered a computerreadable medium encoding or containing computer executable instructionsfor performing a method for editing a low-resolution media asset togenerate a high-resolution edited media asset. The computer readablemedium includes instructions for receiving a request to edit a firsthigh-resolution media asset from a requestor. The computer readablemedium further includes instructions for transmitting a low-resolutionmedia asset to the requester, the low-resolution media asset based uponthe first high-resolution media asset. The computer readable mediumincludes instructions for receiving from a requestor an edit instructionassociated with the low-resolution media asset. The computer readablemedium further includes instructions for generating a secondhigh-resolution media asset based upon the first high-resolution mediaasset and the edit instruction associated with the low-resolution mediaasset.

In one example (which example is intended to be illustrative and notrestrictive), the present invention may be considered a system. Thesystem includes a high-resolution media asset library. The systemfurther includes a low-resolution media asset generator that generateslow-resolution media assets from high-resolution media assets containedin the high-resolution media asset library. The system includes ahigh-resolution media asset editor that applies edits to ahigh-resolution media asset based on edits made to an associatedlow-resolution media asset.

In one example (which example is intended to be illustrative and notrestrictive), the present invention may be considered a method. Themethod includes receiving a request to generate a video asset, the videoasset identifying a starting frame and an ending frame in a keyframemaster asset. The method further includes generating a first portion ofthe video asset, the first portion containing one or more keyframesassociated with the starting frame, the keyframes obtained from thekeyframe master asset. The method includes generating a second portionof the video asset, the second portion containing sets of the keyframesand optimized frames, the optimized frames obtained from an optimizedmaster asset associated with the keyframe master asset.

In one example (which example is intended to be illustrative and notrestrictive), the present invention may be considered a method. Themethod includes receiving a request to generate a video asset, the videoasset identifying a starting frame and an ending frame in a masterasset. The method further includes generating a first portion of thevideo asset, the first portion containing one or more keyframesassociated with the starting frame, the keyframes obtained from akeyframe master asset corresponding to the master asset. The methodincludes generating a second portion of the video asset, the secondportion containing sets of the keyframes and optimized frames, theoptimized frames obtained from an optimized master asset correspondingto the master asset.

In one example (which example is intended to be illustrative and notrestrictive), the present invention may be considered a method. Themethod includes receiving a request to generate a video asset, the videoasset identifying a starting frame and an ending frame in an optimizedmaster asset. The method further includes generating a keyframe masterasset, based upon the optimized master asset, the keyframe master assetincluding one or more keyframes corresponding to the starting frame. Themethod includes generating a first portion of the video asset, the firstportion including at least the starting frame identified in theoptimized master asset. The method further includes generating a secondportion of the video asset, the second portion including sets of thekeyframes and optimized frames, the optimized frames obtained from theoptimized master asset.

In one example (which example is intended to be illustrative and notrestrictive), the present invention may be considered a computerreadable medium encoding or containing computer executable instructionsfor performing a method. The computer readable medium includesinstructions for receiving a request to generate a video asset, thevideo asset identifying a starting frame and an ending frame in akeyframe master asset. The computer readable medium further includesinstructions for generating a first portion of the video asset, thefirst portion containing one or more keyframes associated with thestarting frame, the keyframes obtained from the keyframe master asset.The computer readable medium includes instructions for generating asecond portion of the video asset, the second portion containing sets ofthe keyframes and optimized frames, the optimized frames obtained froman optimized master asset associated with the keyframe master asset.

In one example (which example is intended to be illustrative and notrestrictive), the present invention may be considered a computerreadable medium encoding or containing computer executable instructionsfor performing a method. The computer readable medium includesinstructions for receiving a request to generate a video asset, thevideo asset identifying a starting frame and an ending frame in a masterasset. The computer readable medium further includes instructions forgenerating a first portion of the video asset, the first portioncontaining one or more keyframes associated with the starting frame, thekeyframes obtained from a keyframe master asset corresponding to themaster asset. The computer readable medium includes instructions forgenerating a second portion of the video asset, the second portioncontaining sets of the keyframes and optimized frames, the optimizedframes obtained from an optimized master asset corresponding to themaster asset.

In one example (which example is intended to be illustrative and notrestrictive), the present invention may be considered a computerreadable medium encoding or containing computer executable instructionsfor performing a method. The computer readable medium includesinstructions for receiving a request to generate a video asset, thevideo asset identifying a starting frame and an ending frame in anoptimized master asset. The computer readable medium further includesinstructions for generating a keyframe master asset, based upon theoptimized master asset, the keyframe master asset including one or morekeyframes corresponding to the starting frame. The computer readablemedium includes instructions for generating a first portion of the videoasset, the first portion including at least the starting frameidentified in the optimized master asset. The computer readable mediumfurther includes instructions for generating a second portion of thevideo asset, the second portion including sets of the keyframes andoptimized frames, the optimized frames obtained from the optimizedmaster asset.

In one example (which example is intended to be illustrative and notrestrictive), the present invention may be considered a system. Thesystem includes a master asset library that stores at least onehigh-resolution master asset. The system further includes aspecification applicator that stores at least one edit specification forapplying edits to the at least one high-resolution master asset. Thesystem includes a master asset editor that applies the at least one editspecification to the at least one high-resolution master asset. Thesystem further includes an edit asset generator that generates alow-resolution asset corresponding to the high-resolution master asset.

In one example (which example is intended to be illustrative and notrestrictive), the present invention may be considered a method. Themethod includes editing a low-resolution media asset, the low-resolutionmedia asset corresponding to a master high-resolution media asset. Themethod further includes generating an edit specification based on theediting of the low-resolution media asset. The method includes applyingthe edit specification to the master high-resolution media asset tocreate an edited high-resolution media asset.

In one example (which example is intended to be illustrative and notrestrictive), the present invention may be considered acomputer-readable medium having stored thereon a data structure. Thecomputer readable medium includes a first data field comprising dataidentifying a high-resolution media asset. The computer readable mediumfurther includes a second data field comprising data describing one ormore edits made to a low-resolution media asset associated with thehigh-resolution media asset.

In one example (which example is intended to be illustrative and notrestrictive), the present invention may be considered a method foridentifying edit information of a media asset. The method includesediting a low resolution media asset, the low resolution media assetcontaining at least a first portion corresponding to a firsthigh-resolution master media asset and a second portion corresponding toa second high-resolution master media asset. The method further includesreceiving a request to generate a high-resolution edited media asset,the request identifying the first high-resolution master media asset andthe second high-resolution master media asset. The method includesgenerating the high-resolution edited media asset. The method furtherincludes associating with the high-resolution edited media asset editinformation that identifies the first high-resolution master media assetand the second high-resolution master media asset.

In one example (which example is intended to be illustrative and notrestrictive), the present invention may be considered a computerreadable medium encoding or containing computer executable instructionsfor performing a method for identifying edit information of a mediaasset. The method includes editing a low resolution media asset, the lowresolution media asset containing at least a first portion correspondingto a first high-resolution master media asset and a second portioncorresponding to a second high-resolution master media asset. The methodfurther includes receiving a request to generate a high-resolutionedited media asset, the request identifying the first high-resolutionmaster media asset and the second high-resolution master media asset.The method includes generating the high-resolution edited media asset.The method further includes associating with the high-resolution editedmedia asset edit information that identifies the first high-resolutionmaster media asset and the second high-resolution master media asset.

In one example (which example is intended to be illustrative and notrestrictive), the present invention may be considered a method forrendering a media asset. The method includes receiving a command torender an aggregate media asset defined by an edit specification, theedit specification identifying at least a first media asset associatedwith at least one edit instruction. The method further includesretrieving the edit specification. The method includes retrieving thefirst media asset. The method further includes rendering, on a mediaasset rendering device, the first media asset of the aggregate mediaasset in accordance with the at least one edit instruction.

In one example (which example is intended to be illustrative and notrestrictive), the present invention may be considered a computerreadable medium encoding or containing computer executable instructionsfor performing a method for rendering a media asset. The method includesreceiving a command to render an aggregate media asset defined by anedit specification, the edit specification identifying at least a firstmedia asset associated with at least one edit instruction. The methodfurther includes retrieving the edit specification. The method includesretrieving the first media asset. The method further includes rendering,on a media asset rendering device, the first media asset of theaggregate media asset in accordance with the at least one editinstruction.

In one example (which example is intended to be illustrative and notrestrictive), the present invention may be considered a method forediting an aggregate media asset. The method includes, in a playbacksession, receiving a stream corresponding to an aggregate media assetfrom a remote computing device, the aggregate media asset comprised ofat least one component media asset. The method further includesrendering the aggregate media asset on an image rendering device. Themethod includes receiving a user command to edit an edit specificationassociated with the aggregate media asset. The method further includesinitiating an edit session for editing the edit specification associatedwith the aggregate media asset.

In one example (which example is intended to be illustrative and notrestrictive), the present invention may be considered a computerreadable medium encoding or containing computer executable instructionsfor performing a method for editing an aggregate media asset. The methodincludes, in a playback session, receiving a stream corresponding to anaggregate media asset from a remote computing device, the aggregatemedia asset comprised of at least one component media asset. The methodfurther includes rendering the aggregate media asset on an imagerendering device. The method includes receiving a user command to editan edit specification associated with the aggregate media asset. Themethod further includes initiating an edit session for editing the editspecification associated with the aggregate media asset.

In one example (which example is intended to be illustrative and notrestrictive), the present invention may be considered a method forstoring an aggregate media asset. The method includes storing aplurality of component media assets. The method further includes storinga first aggregate edit specification, the first aggregate editspecification including at least one command for rendering the pluralityof component media assets to generate a first aggregate media asset.

In one example (which example is intended to be illustrative and notrestrictive), the present invention may be considered a method forpublishing a composite media asset and receiving compensation therefor.The method includes receiving, from a first remote computing device, anedit specification for rendering a composite media asset, the editspecification identifying at least a first component media asset and asecond component media asset that comprise the composite media asset.The method further includes storing the edit specification. The methodincludes receiving, from a second remote computing device, a request torender at least the first component media asset based upon informationin the edit specification. The method further includes transmitting, tothe second remote computing device, information identifying the firstcomponent media asset. The method includes receiving compensation forthe transmitting step.

In one example (which example is intended to be illustrative and notrestrictive), the present invention may be considered a method forinserting advertising into a composite media asset and receivingcompensation therefor. The method includes receiving a composite mediaasset edit specification defining a composite media asset, the compositemedia asset edit specification identifying a first component media assetand a second component media asset. The method further includesreceiving a request, by one or more vendors, to incorporate at least oneadvertisement with the composite media asset. The method includesincorporating the at least one advertisement with the composite mediaasset. The method further includes receiving compensation from the oneor more vendors for the incorporating step.

In one example (which example is intended to be illustrative and notrestrictive), the present invention may be considered a method forinserting advertising into a composite media asset and receivingcompensation therefor. The method includes receiving a composite mediaasset edit specification defining a composite media asset, the compositemedia asset edit specification identifying a first component media assetand a second component media asset. The method further includesreceiving a request, by one or more vendors, to incorporate at least oneadvertisement with the composite media asset. The method includesincorporating the advertisement as part of the composite media asset.The method further includes transmitting the composite media asset to aremote computing device. The method includes, upon rendering of at leasta portion of the composite media asset at the remote computing device,receiving compensation from the one or more vendors.

In one example (which example is intended to be illustrative and notrestrictive), the present invention may be considered a method forreusing component media assets and receiving compensation therefor. Themethod includes maintaining a library including at least a first editspecification corresponding to a first composite media asset, the firstcomposite media asset including at least one component media asset. Themethod further includes receiving a request, from a remote computingdevice, to generate a second edit specification for a second compositemedia asset, the second edit specification for the second compositemedia asset identifying the at least one component media asset and thesecond composite media asset including the at least one component mediaasset. The method includes generating the second edit specification. Themethod further includes receiving compensation for the generating step.

These and various other features as well as advantages will be apparentfrom a reading of the following detailed description and a review of theassociated drawings. Additional features are set forth in thedescription which follows, and in part will be apparent from thedescription, or may be learned by practice of the described embodiments.The benefits and features will be realized and attained by the structureparticularly pointed out in the written description and claims hereof aswell as the appended drawings.

It is to be understood that both the foregoing general description andthe following detailed description are exemplary and explanatory and areintended to provide further explanation of the invention as claimed.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The following drawing figures, which form a part of this application,are illustrative of embodiments systems and methods described below andare not meant to limit the scope of the invention in any manner, whichscope shall be based on the claims appended hereto.

FIG. 1 illustrates an embodiment of a system for manipulating a mediaasset in a networked computing environment.

FIG. 2 illustrates an embodiment of a system for manipulating a mediaasset in a networked computing environment.

FIG. 3 illustrates an embodiment of a method for editing alow-resolution media asset to generate a high-resolution edited mediaasset.

FIG. 4 illustrates an embodiment of a method for generating a mediaasset.

FIG. 5 illustrates an embodiment of a method for generating a mediaasset.

FIG. 6 illustrates an embodiment of a method for generating a mediaasset.

FIG. 7 illustrates an embodiment of a method for recording edits tomedia content.

FIG. 8 illustrates an embodiment of a method for identifying editinformation of a media asset.

FIG. 9 illustrates an embodiment of a method for rendering a mediaasset.

FIG. 10 illustrates an embodiment of a method for storing an aggregatemedia asset.

FIG. 11 illustrates an embodiment of a method for editing an aggregatemedia asset.

FIG. 12 illustrates an embodiment of a method for publishing a compositemedia asset and receiving compensation therefor.

FIG. 13 illustrates an embodiment of a method for inserting advertisinginto a composite media asset and receiving compensation therefor.

FIG. 14 illustrates an embodiment of another method for insertingadvertising into a composite media asset and receiving compensationtherefor.

FIG. 15 illustrates a method for reusing component media assets andreceiving compensation therefor.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

FIG. 1 illustrates an embodiment of a system 100 for generating a mediaasset. In one embodiment, a system 100 is comprised of a master assetlibrary 102. In one embodiment, a master asset library 102 may be alogical grouping of data, including but not limited to high-resolutionand low-resolution media assets. In another embodiment, a master assetlibrary 102 may be a physical grouping of data, including but notlimited to high-resolution and low-resolution media assets. In anembodiment, a master asset library 102 may be comprised of one or moredatabases and reside on one or more servers. In one embodiment, masterasset library 102 may be comprised of a plurality of libraries,including public, private, and shared libraries. In one embodiment, amaster asset library 102 may be organized into a searchable library. Inanother embodiment, the one or more servers comprising master assetlibrary 102 may include connections to one or more storage devices forstoring digital files.

For purposes of this disclosure, the drawings associated with thisdisclosure, and the appended claims, the term “files” generally refersto a collection of information that is stored as a unit and that, amongother things, may be retrieved, modified, stored, deleted ortransferred. Storage devices may include, but are not limited to,volatile memory (e.g., RAM, DRAM), non-volatile memory (e.g., ROM,EPROM, flash memory), and devices such as hard disk drives and opticaldrives. Storage devices may store information redundantly. Storagedevices may also be connected in parallel, in a series, or in some otherconnection configuration. As set forth in the present embodiment, one ormore assets may reside within a master asset library 102.

For purposes of this disclosure, the drawings associated with thisdisclosure, and the appended claims, an “asset” refers to a logicalcollection of content that may be comprised within one or more files.For example, an asset may be comprised of a single file (e.g., an MPEGvideo file) that contains images (e.g., a still frame of video), audio,and video information. As another example, an asset may also may becomprised of a collection of files (e.g., JPEG image files) thatcollectively may be used to render an animation or video. As yet anotherexample, an asset may also comprise an executable file (e.g., anexecutable vector graphics file, such as an SWF file or an FLA file). Amaster asset library 102 may include many types of assets, including butnot limited to, video, images, animations, text, executable files, andaudio. In one embodiment, master asset library 102 may include one ormore high-resolution master assets. For the remainder of thisdisclosure, “master asset” will be disclosed as a digital filecontaining video content. One skilled in the art will recognize,however, that a master asset is not limited to containing videoinformation, and as set forth previously, a master asset may containmany types of information including but not limited to images, audio,text, executable files, and/or animations.

In one embodiment, a media asset may be stored in a master asset library102 so as to preserve the quality of the media asset. For example, inthe case of a media asset comprising video information, two importantaspects of video quality are spatial resolution and temporal resolution.Spatial resolution generally describes the clarity of lack of blurringin a displayed image, while temporal resolution generally describes thesmoothness of motion. Motion video, like film, consists of a certainnumber of frames per second to represent motion in the scene. Typically,the first step in digitizing video is to partition each frame into alarge number of picture elements, or pixels or pels for short. Thelarger the number of pixels, the higher the spatial resolution.Similarly, the more frames per second, the higher the temporalresolution.

In one embodiment, a media asset may be stored in a master asset library102 as a master asset that is not directly manipulated. For example, amedia asset may be preserved in a master asset library 102 in itsoriginal form, although it may still be used to create copies orderivative media assets (e.g., low-resolution assets). In oneembodiment, a media asset may also be stored in a master asset library102 with corresponding or associated assets. In one embodiment, a mediaasset stored in a master asset library 102 may be stored as multipleversions of the same media asset. For example, multiple versions of amedia asset stored in master asset library 102 may include anall-keyframe version that does not take advantage of intra-framesimilarities for compression purposes, and an optimized version thatdoes take advantage of intra-frame similarities. In one embodiment, theoriginal media asset may represent an all-keyframe version. In anotherembodiment, the original media asset may originally be in the form of anoptimized version or stored as an optimized version. One skilled in theart will recognize that media assets may take many forms within a masterasset library 102 that are within the scope of this disclosure.

In one embodiment, a system 100 is also comprised of an edit assetgenerator 104. In an embodiment, an edit asset generator 104 may becomprised of transcoding hardware and/or software that, among otherthings, may convert a media asset from one format into another format.For example, a transcoder may be used to convert an MPEG file into aQuicktime file. As another example, a transcoder may be used to converta JPEG file into a bitmap (e.g., *.BMP) file. As yet another example, atranscoder may standardize media asset formats into an Flash video file(*.FLV) format. In one embodiment, a transcoder may create more than oneversions of an original media asset. For example, upon receiving anoriginal media asset, a transcoder may convert the original media assetinto a high-resolution version and a low-resolution version. As anotherexample, a transcoder may convert an original media asset into one ormore files. In one embodiment, a transcoder may exist on a remotecomputing device. In another embodiment, a transcoder may exist on oneor more connected computers. In one embodiment, an edit asset generator104 may also be comprised of hardware and/or software for transferringand/or uploading media assets to one or more computers. In anotherembodiment, an edit asset generator 104 may be comprised of or connectedto hardware and/or software used to capture media assets from externalsources such as a digital camera.

In one embodiment, an edit asset generator 104 may generate alow-resolution version of a high-resolution media asset stored in amaster asset library 102. In another embodiment, an edit asset generator104 may transmit a low-resolution version of a media asset stored in amaster asset library 102, for example, by converting the media asset inreal-time and transmitting the media asset as a stream to a remotecomputing device. In another embodiment, an edit asset generator 104 maygenerate a low quality version of another media asset (e.g., a masterasset), such that the low quality version preserves while stillproviding sufficient data to enable a user to apply edits to the lowquality version.

In one embodiment, a system 100 may also be comprised of a specificationapplicator 106. In one embodiment, a specification applicator 106 may becomprised of one or more files or edit specifications that includeinstructions for editing and modifying a media asset (e.g., ahigh-resolution media asset). In one embodiment, a specificationapplicator 106 may include one or more edit specifications that comprisemodification instructions for a high-resolution media asset based uponedits made to a corresponding or associated low-resolution media asset.In one embodiment, a specification applicator 106 may store a pluralityof edit specifications in one or more libraries.

In one embodiment, a system 100 is also comprised of a master asseteditor 108 that may apply one or more edit specifications to a mediaasset. For example, a master asset editor 108 may apply an editspecification stored in a specification applicator 106 library to afirst high-resolution media asset and thereby creates anotherhigh-resolution media asset, e.g., a second high-resolution media asset.In one embodiment, a master asset editor 108 may apply an editspecification to a media asset in real-time. For example, a master asseteditor 108 may modify a media asset as the media asset is transmitted toanother location. In another embodiment, a master asset editor 108 mayapply an edit specification to a media asset in non-real-time. Forexample, a master asset editor 108 may apply edit specifications to amedia asset as part of a scheduled process. In one embodiment, a masterasset editor 108 may be used to minimize the necessity of transferringlarge media assets over a network. For example, by storing edits in anedit specification, a master asset editor 108 may transfer small datafiles across a network to effectuate manipulations made on a remotecomputing device to higher quality assets stored on one or more localcomputers (e.g., computers comprising a master asset library).

In another embodiment, a master asset editor 108 may be responsive tocommands from a remote computing device (e.g., clicking a “remix” buttonat a remote computing device may command the master asset editor 108 toapply an edit specification to a high-resolution media asset). Forexample, a master asset editor 108 may dynamically and/or interactivelyapply an edit specification to a media asset upon a user command issuingfrom a remote computing device. In one embodiment, a master asset editor108 may dynamically apply an edit specification to a high-resolution togenerate an edited high-resolution media asset for playback. In anotherembodiment, a master asset editor 108 may apply an edit specification toa media asset on a remote computing device and one or more computersconnected by a network (e.g., Internet 114). For example, bifurcatingthe application of an edit specification may minimize the size of theedited high-resolution asset prior to transferring it to a remotecomputing device for playback. In another embodiment, a master asseteditor 108 may apply an edit specification on a remote computing device,for example, to take advantage of vector-based processing that may beexecuted efficiently on a remote computing device at playtime.

In one embodiment, a system 100 is also comprised of an editor 110 thatmay reside on a remote computing device 112 that is connected to one ormore networked computers, such as the Internet 114. In one embodiment,an editor 110 may be comprised of software. For example, an editor 110may be a stand-alone program. As another example, an editor 110 may becomprised of one or more instructions that may be executed throughanother program such as an Internet 114 browser (e.g., MicrosoftInternet Explorer). In one embodiment, an editor 110 may be designedwith a user interface similar to other media-editing programs. In oneembodiment, an editor 110 may contain connections to a master assetlibrary 102, an edit asset library 104, a specification applicator 106and/or a master asset editor 108. In one embodiment, an editor 110 mayinclude pre-constructed or “default” edit specifications that may beapplied by a remote computing device to a media asset. In oneembodiment, an editor 110 may include a player program for displayingmedia assets and/or applying one or more instructions from an editspecification upon playback of a media asset. In another embodiment, aneditor 110 may be connected to a player program (e.g., a standaloneeditor may be connected to a browser).

FIG. 2 illustrates an embodiment of a system 200 for generating a mediaasset. In one embodiment, the system 200 comprises a high-resolutionmedia asset library 202. In one embodiment, the high-resolution mediaasset library 202 may be a shared library, a public library, and/or aprivate library. In one embodiment, the high-resolution media assetlibrary 202 may include at least one video file. In another embodiment,the high resolution media asset library 202 may include at least oneaudio file. In yet another embodiment, the high-resolution media assetlibrary 202 may include at least one reference to a media asset residingon a remote computing device 212. In one embodiment, the high-resolutionmedia asset library 202 may reside on a plurality of computing devices.

In one embodiment, the system 200 further comprises a low-resolutionmedia asset generator 204 that generates low-resolution media assetsfrom high-resolution media assets contained in the high-resolution mediaasset library. For example, as discussed above, a low-resolution mediaasset generator 204 may convert a high-resolution media asset to alow-resolution media asset.

In one embodiment, the system 200 further comprises a low-resolutionmedia asset editor 208 that transmits edits made to an associatedlow-resolution media asset to one or more computers via a network, suchas the Internet 214. In another embodiment, the low-resolution mediaasset editor 208 may reside on a computing device remote from the highresolution media asset editor, for example, remote computing device 212.In another embodiment, the low-resolution media asset editor 208 mayutilize a browser. For example, the low-resolution media asset editor208 may store low-resolution media assets in the cache of a browser.

In one embodiment, the system 200 may also comprise an image renderingdevice 210 that displays the associated low-resolution media asset. Inone embodiment, an image rendering device 210 resides on a computingdevice 212 remote from the high-resolution media asset editor 206. Inanother embodiment, an image rendering device 210 may utilize a browser.

In one embodiment, the system 200 further comprises a high-resolutionmedia asset editor 206 that applies edits to a high-resolution mediaasset based on edits made to an associated low-resolution media asset.

FIG. 3 illustrates an embodiment of a method 300 for editing alow-resolution media asset to generate a high-resolution edited mediaasset. In the method 300, a request to edit a first high-resolutionmedia is received from a requestor in a requesting operation 302. In oneembodiment, the first high-resolution media asset may be comprised of aplurality of files and receiving a request to edit the firsthigh-resolution media asset in requesting operation 302 may furthercomprise receiving a request to edit at least one of the plurality offiles. In another embodiment, requesting operation 302 may furthercomprise receiving a request to edit at least one high-resolution audioor video file.

In the method 300, a low-resolution media asset based upon the firsthigh-resolution media asset is transmitted to a requester in atransmitting operation 304. In one embodiment, transmitting operation304 may comprise transmitting at least one low-resolution audio or videofile. In another embodiment, transmitting operation 304 may furthercomprise converting at least one high-resolution audio or video fileassociated with a first high-resolution media asset from a first fileformat into at least one low-resolution audio or video file,respectively, having a second file format. For example, ahigh-resolution uncompressed audio file (e.g., a WAV file) may beconverted into a compressed audio file (e.g., an MP3 file). As anotherexample, a compressed file with a lesser compression ratio may beconverted into a file of the same format, but formatted with a greatercompression ratio.

The method 300 then comprises receiving from a requestor an editinstruction associated with a low-resolution media asset in receivingoperation 306. In one embodiment, receiving operation 306 may furthercomprise receiving an instruction to modify a video presentationproperty of at least one high-resolution video file. For example,modification of a video presentation property may include receiving aninstruction to modify an image aspect ratio, a spatial resolution value,a temporal resolution value, a bit rate value, or a compression value.In another embodiment, receiving operation 306 may further comprisereceiving an instruction to modify a timeline (e.g., sequence of frames)of at least one high-resolution video file.

The method 300 further comprises generating a second high-resolutionmedia asset based upon the first high-resolution media asset and theedit instruction associated with the low-resolution media asset in agenerating operation 308. In one embodiment of generating operation 308,an edit specification is applied to at least one high-resolution audioor video file comprising the first high-resolution media asset. In afurther embodiment, generating operation 308 generates at least onehigh-resolution audio or video file. In another embodiment, generatingoperation 308 further comprises the steps of: generating a copy of atleast one high-resolution audio or video file associated with a firsthigh-resolution media asset; applying the edit instruction,respectively, to the at least one high-resolution audio or video file;and saving the copy as a second high-resolution media asset.

In another embodiment of method 300, at least a portion of the secondhigh-resolution media asset may be transmitted to a remote computingdevice. In still yet another embodiment of method 300, at least aportion of the second high-resolution media asset may be displayed by animage rendering device. For example, the image rendering device may takethe form of a browser residing at a remote computing device.

FIG. 4 illustrates an embodiment of a method 400 for generating a mediaasset. In the method 400, a request to generate a video asset, the videoasset identifying a starting frame and an ending frame in a keyframemaster asset, is received in receiving operation 402. For example, therequest of receiving operation 402 may identify a first portion and/or asecond portion of a video asset.

In a generating a first portion operation 404, the method 400 thencomprises generating a first portion of the video asset where the firstportion contains one or more keyframes associated with the startingframe and the keyframes are obtained from the keyframe master asset. Forexample, where the keyframe master asset comprises an uncompressed videofile, one or more frames of the uncompressed video file may comprise thekeyframes associated with the starting frame of the media asset.

In a generating a second portion operation 406, the method 400 furthercomprises generating a second portion of the video asset where thesecond portion contains sets of the keyframes and optimized frames andthe optimized frames obtained from an optimized master asset associatedwith the keyframe master asset. For example, where the optimized masterasset comprises a compressed video file, a set of frames that arecompressed may be combined in a video asset with one or moreuncompressed frames from an uncompressed video file.

In another embodiment of method 400, a library of master assets may bemaintained such that a keyframe master asset and an optimized masterasset may be generated corresponding to at least one of the librarymaster assets. In still yet another embodiment of method 400, a requestmay identify a starting keyframe or ending keyframe in a keyframe masterasset that corresponds, respectively, to a starting frame or endingframe.

FIG. 5 illustrates an embodiment of a method 500 for generating a mediaasset. In the method 500, a request to generate a video asset, the videoasset identifying a starting frame and an ending frame in a masterasset, is received in receiving operation 502. For example, the requestof receiving operation 502 may identify a first portion and/or a secondportion of a video asset.

In a generating a first portion operation 504, the method 500 thencomprises generating a first portion of the video asset where the firstportion contains one or more keyframes associated with the startingframe and the keyframes obtained from a keyframe master asset correspondto a master asset. For example,

In a generating a second portion operation 506, the method 500 thencomprises generating a second portion of the video asset where thesecond portion contains sets of the keyframes and optimized frames andthe optimized frames obtained from an optimized master asset correspondto a master asset. For example, where the optimized master assetcomprises a compressed video file, a set of frames that are compressedmay be combined in a video asset with one or more uncompressed keyframesfrom a keyframe master asset.

In another embodiment of method 500, a library of master assets may bemaintained such that a keyframe master asset and an optimized masterasset may be generated corresponding to at least one of the librarymaster assets. In still yet another embodiment of method 500, a requestmay identify a starting keyframe or ending keyframe in a keyframe masterasset that corresponds, respectively, to a starting frame or endingframe.

FIG. 6 illustrates an embodiment of a method 600 for generating a mediaasset. In the method 600, a request to generate a video asset where thevideo asset identifies a starting frame and an ending frame in anoptimized master asset is received in a receiving operation 602. Forexample, the request of receiving operation 602 may identify a firstportion and/or a second portion of a video asset.

The method 600 then comprises generating a keyframe master asset, basedupon the optimized master asset, that includes one or more keyframescorresponding to the starting frame in a generating a keyframe operation604. In a generating a first portion operation 606, the method 600further comprises generating a first portion of the video asset wherethe first portion includes at least a starting frame identified in anoptimized master asset. In a generating a second portion operation 608,the method 600 then further comprises generating a second portion of thevideo asset where the second portion includes sets of keyframes andoptimized frames and the optimized frames are obtained from theoptimized master asset.

In another embodiment of method 600, a library of master assets may bemaintained such that a keyframe master asset and an optimized masterasset may be generated corresponding to at least one of the librarymaster assets. In still yet another embodiment of method 600, a requestmay identify a starting keyframe or ending keyframe in a keyframe masterasset that corresponds, respectively, to a starting frame or endingframe.

FIG. 7 illustrates an embodiment of a method 700 for recording edits tomedia content. In the method 700, a low-resolution media assetcorresponding to a master high-resolution media asset is edited inediting operation 702. In one embodiment, editing comprises modifying animage of a low-resolution media asset that corresponds to a masterhigh-resolution media asset. For example, where an image includes pixeldata, the pixels may be manipulated such that they appear in a differentcolor or with a different brightness. In another embodiment, editingcomprises modifying the duration of a low-resolution media assetcorresponding to a duration of a master high-resolution media asset. Forexample, modifying a duration may include shortening a low-resolutionmedia asset and the high-resolution media asset corresponding to thelow-resolution media asset.

In a further embodiment, where the master high-resolution media assetand the low-resolution media asset comprise at least one or more framesof video information, the editing comprises modifying a transitionproperty of the at least one or more frames of video information of alow-resolution media asset that corresponds to a master high-resolutionmedia asset. For example, a transition such as a fade-in or fade-outtransition may replace an image of one frame with an image of anotherframe. In another embodiment, editing comprises modifying a volume valueof an audio component of a low-resolution media asset corresponding to amaster high-resolution media asset. For example, a media asset includingvideo information may include an audio track that may be played louderor softer depending upon whether a greater or lesser volume value isselected.

In another embodiment, where the master high-resolution media asset andthe low-resolution media asset comprise at least two or more frames ofsequential video information, editing comprises modifying the sequenceof the at least two or more frames of sequential video information of alow-resolution media asset corresponding to a master high-resolutionmedia asset. For example, a second frame may be sequenced prior to afirst frame of a media asset comprising video information.

In still yet another embodiment, editing comprises modifying one or moreuniform resource locators (e.g., URLs) associated with a low-resolutionmedia asset corresponding to a master high-resolution media asset. Instill another embodiment, editing comprises modifying a playback rate(e.g., 30 frames per second) of the low-resolution media assetcorresponding to the master high-resolution media asset. In yet anotherembodiment, editing comprises modifying the resolution (e.g., thetemporal or spatial resolution) of a low-resolution media assetcorresponding to a master high-resolution media asset. In oneembodiment, editing may occur on a remote computing device. For example,the edit specification itself may be created on a remote computingdevice. Similarly, for example, the edited high-resolution media assetmay be transmitted to the remote computing device for rendering on animage rendering device such as a browser.

The method 700 then comprises generating an edit specification based onthe editing of the low-resolution media asset in a generating operation704. The method 700 further comprises applying the edit specification tothe master high-resolution media asset to create an editedhigh-resolution media asset in an applying operation 706. In oneembodiment, the method 700 further comprises rendering an editedhigh-resolution media asset on an image-rendering device. For example,rendering an edited high-resolution media asset may itself compriseapplying a media asset filter to the edited high-resolution media asset.As another example, applying the media asset filter may compriseoverlaying the edited high-resolution media asset with an animation. Asyet another example, applying the media asset filter may furthercomprise changing a display property of the edited high-resolution mediaasset. Changing a display property may include, but is not limited to,changing a video presentation property. In this example, applying themedia asset filter may comprise changing a video effect, a title, aframe rate, a trick-play effect (e.g., a media asset filter may change afast-forward, pause, slow-motion and/or rewind operation), and/or acomposite display (e.g., displaying at least a portion of two differentmedia assets at the same time, such as in the case of picture-in-pictureand/or green-screen compositions). In another embodiment, the method 700may further comprise storing an edit specification. For example, an editspecification may be stored at a remote computing device or one or morecomputers connected via a network, such as via the Internet.

FIG. 8 illustrates an embodiment of a method 800 for identifying editinformation of a media asset. In the method 800, a low-resolution mediaasset is edited in an editing operation 802 where the low-resolutionmedia asset contains at least a first portion corresponding to a firsthigh-resolution master media asset and a second portion corresponding toa second high-resolution master media asset. In one embodiment, editingoperation 802 further comprises storing at least some of the editinformation as metadata with a high-resolution edited media asset. Inanother embodiment, editing operation 802 may occur on a remotecomputing device.

In receiving operation 804, the method 800 then comprises receiving arequest to generate a high-resolution edited media asset where therequest identifies a first high-resolution master media asset and asecond high-resolution master media asset. The method 800 then comprisesgenerating a high-resolution edited media asset in a generatingoperation 806. The method 800 further comprises associating with ahigh-resolution edited media asset edit information that identifies thefirst high-resolution master media asset and the second high-resolutionmaster media asset in an associating operation 808.

In one embodiment, method 800 further comprises retrieving either afirst high-resolution master media asset or a second high-resolutionmaster media asset. In yet another embodiment, method 800 still furthercomprises assembling a retrieved first high-resolution media asset and aretrieved second high-resolution media asset into a high-resolutionedited media asset.

FIG. 9 illustrates an embodiment of a method 900 for rendering a mediaasset. In the method 900, a command to render an aggregate media assetdefined by an edit specification, where the edit specificationidentifies at least a first media asset associated with at least oneedit instruction, is received in receiving operation 902. In oneembodiment, receiving operation 902 comprises an end-user command. Inanother embodiment, receiving operation 902 may comprise a commandissued by a computing device, such as a remote computing device. In yetanother embodiment, receiving operation 902 may be comprised of a seriesof commands that together represents a command to render an aggregatemedia asset defined by an edit specification.

In edit specification retrieving operation 904, an edit specification isretrieved. In an embodiment, retrieving operation 904 may compriseretrieving an edit specification from memory or some other storagedevice. In another embodiment, retrieving operation 904 may compriseretrieving an edit specification from a remote computing device. In yetanother embodiment, retrieving an edit specification in retrievingoperation 904 may comprise retrieving several edit specifications thatcollectively comprise a single related edit specification. For example,several edit specifications may be associated with different mediaassets (e.g., the acts of a play may each comprise a media asset) thattogether comprise a single related edit specification (e.g., for anentire play, inclusive of each act of the play). In one embodiment, theedit specification may identify a second media asset associated with asecond edit instruction that may be retrieved and rendered on a mediaasset rendering device.

In media asset retrieving operation 906, a first media asset isretrieved. In one embodiment, retrieving operation 906 may compriseretrieving a first media asset from a remote computing device. Inanother embodiment, retrieving operation 906 may comprise retrieving afirst media asset from memory or some other storage device. In yetanother embodiment, retrieving operation 906 may comprise retrieving acertain portion (e.g., the header or first part of a file) of a firstmedia asset. In another embodiment of retrieving operation 906, a firstmedia asset may be comprised of multiple sub-parts. Following theexample set forth in retrieving operation 904, a first media asset inthe form of a video (e.g., a play with multiple acts) may be comprisedof media asset parts (e.g., multiple acts represented as distinct mediaassets). In this example, the edit specification may contain informationthat links together or relates the multiple different media assets intoa single related media asset.

In rendering operation 908, the first media asset of the aggregate mediaasset is rendered on a media asset rendering device in accordance withthe at least one edit instruction. In one embodiment, the editinstruction may identify or point to a second media asset. In oneembodiment, the media asset rendering device may be comprised of adisplay for video information and speakers for audio information. In anembodiment where there exists a second media asset, the second mediaasset may include information that is similar to the first media asset(e.g., both the first and second media assets may contain audio or videoinformation) or different from the first media asset (e.g., the secondmedia asset may contain audio information, such as a commentary of amovie, whereas the first media asset may contain video information, suchas images and speech, for a movie). In another embodiment, renderingoperation 908 may further include an edit instruction that modifies atransition property for transitioning from a first media asset to asecond media asset, that overlays effects and/or titles on an asset,that combines two assets (e.g., combinations resulting from editinstructions directed towards picture-in-picture and/or green-screencapabilities), that modifies the frame rate and/or presentation rate ofat least a portion of a media asset, that modifies the duration of thefirst media asset, that modifies a display property of the first mediaasset, or that modifies an audio property of the first media asset.

FIG. 10 illustrates an embodiment of a method 1000 for storing anaggregate media asset. In the method 1000, a plurality of componentmedia assets are stored in storing operation 1002. For example, by wayof illustration and not of limitation, storing operation 1002 maycomprise caching at least one of the plurality of component media assetsin memory. As another example, one or more component media assets may becached in the memory cache reserved for a program such as an Internetbrowser.

In storing operation 1004, a first aggregate edit specification isstored where the first aggregate edit specification includes at leastone command for rendering the plurality of component media assets togenerate a first aggregate media asset. For example, an aggregate mediaasset may comprise one or more component media assets containing videoinformation. In this example, the component videos may be ordered suchthat they may be rendered in a certain order as an aggregate video(e.g., a video montage). In one embodiment, storing operation 1004comprises storing at least one command to display, in a sequence, afirst portion of the plurality of component media assets. For example,the command to display may modify the playback duration of a componentmedia asset including video information. In another embodiment ofstoring operation 1004, at least one command to render an effectcorresponding to at least one of the plurality of component media assetsmay be stored. As one example, storing operation 1004 may include one ormore effects that command transitions between component media assets. Instill yet another embodiment of storing operation 1004, a secondaggregate edit specification, the second aggregate edit specificationincluding at least one command for rendering the plurality of componentmedia assets to generate a second aggregate media asset may be stored.

FIG. 11 illustrates an embodiment of a method for editing an aggregatemedia asset. In the method 1100, a stream corresponding to an aggregatemedia asset from a remote computing device, the aggregate media assetcomprised of at least one component media asset, is received in aplayback session in receiving operation 1102. For example, a playbacksession may be comprised of a user environment that permits playback ofa media asset. As another example, a playback session may be comprisedof one or more programs that may display one or more files. Followingthis example, a playback session may be comprised of an Internet browserthat is capable of receiving a streaming aggregate media asset. In thisexample, the aggregate media asset may be comprised of one or morecomponent media assets residing on remote computing devices. The one ormore component media assets may be streamed so as to achieve bandwidthand processing efficiency on a local computing device.

In a rendering operation 1104, the aggregate media asset is rendered onan image rendering device. For example, the aggregate media asset may bedisplayed such that pixel information from an aggregate media assetincluding video information is shown. In a receiving operation 1106, auser command to edit an edit specification associated with the aggregatemedia asset is received. As discussed previously, edit specificationsmay take many forms, including but not limited to one or more filescontaining metadata and other information associated with the componentmedia assets that may be associated with an aggregate media asset.

In an initiating operation 1108, an edit session is initiated forediting the edit specification associated with the aggregate mediaasset. In one embodiment, initiating operation 1108 comprises displayinginformation corresponding to the edit specification associated with theaggregate media asset. For example, an editing session may permit a userto adjust the duration of a certain component media asset. In anotherembodiment, method 1100 further comprises modifying the editspecification associated with the aggregate media asset, therebyaltering the aggregate media asset. Following the previous example, oncea component media asset is edited in the editing session, the edits tothe component media asset may be made to the aggregate media asset.

FIG. 12 illustrates an embodiment of a method 1200 for publishing acomposite media asset and receiving compensation therefor. In the method1200, an edit specification for rendering a composite media asset isreceived from a first remote computing device, where the editspecification identifies at least a first component media asset and asecond component media asset that comprise the composite media asset, inreceiving operation 1202. In storing operation 1204, the editspecification is stored. For example, the edit specification may bestored in a library residing on or connected to one or more computingdevices. As another example, the edit specification may be stored inmemory.

In receiving operation 1206, a second remote computing device receives arequest to render at least the first component media asset based uponinformation in the edit specification. In one embodiment, receiving therequest to render the first component media asset may comprise receivingat least one search term corresponding to the information in the editspecification. For example, one or more search term words may correspondto information that is part of or associated with (e.g., synonymous withinformation stored in an edit specification) an edit specification. Inanother embodiment, receiving the request to render the first componentmedia asset may comprise receiving a request to render the compositemedia asset. For example, a request to render a composite media assetmay take the form of a request to display one or more files (e.g.,high-resolution or low-resolution files). As another example, a requestmay take the form of a signal to display the first portion of acomposite media asset.

In transmitting operation 1208, information identifying the firstcomponent media asset is transmitted to the second remote computingdevice. In one embodiment, the information identifying the firstcomponent media asset may comprise identifying a location of the firstcomponent media asset. For example, the edit specification itself maypoint to an address or some other location where the first componentmedia asset may be accessed. As another example, at least a portion ofthe first component media asset may be transmitted to the second remotecomputing device. In yet another embodiment, the information identifyingthe first component media asset may comprise identifying a file type ofthe first component media asset. For example, the informationidentifying the first component media asset may identify whether acertain requested file is formatted according to the MPEG-2specification. In still yet another embodiment, transmitting informationidentifying the first component media asset may further comprisereceiving a portion of the first component media asset and rendering thefirst component media asset. One skilled in the art will recognize thatrendering the first component media asset may take many forms that arewithin the scope of this disclosure. In another embodiment, theinformation identifying the first media asset component may comprise adigital right that is detectable by an image rendering device. Oneskilled in the art will recognize that many types of digital rightsexist that are within the scope of this disclosure, including but notlimited to digital certificates, copy protection data and licensinginformation. For example, a digital right identifying the first mediaasset component and that is detectable by an image rendering device mayinclude, but is not limited to, CGMS-A, HDCP, or other contentprotection data. In an embodiment where the information identifying thefirst media asset component comprises a digital right that is detectableby an image rendering device, the digital right may prevent display ofthe first media asset component on the image rendering device.

In receiving operation 1210, compensation is received for thetransmitting step. In one embodiment, the compensation may take the formof monetary compensation. One skilled in the art will recognize thatcompensation may take many forms other than or in addition to monetarycompensation. For example, compensation may include providing a link(e.g., a URL), a location, a file attribute, a virtual trinket (e.g.,providing additional functionality to a user and/or providing a token,such as a audible, graphical or iconic “thank-you” indicator),incrementing a counter (e.g., a page count indicating a number ofediting sessions by a plurality of remote computing devices), anattribution, a virtual badge (e.g., a graphical recognition), and/or anartificial currency (e.g., online credits). In another embodiment,receiving compensation may comprise receiving compensation from a userof the second remote computing device and compensating a user of thefirst remote computing device. For example, a user of a first remotecomputing device may be compensated for providing access to an assetthat may be manipulated by another user of a second remote computingdevice. In another embodiment, receiving compensation may comprisereceiving user information from one or more vendors. For example, wherea vendor may be the user of the second remote computing device,information about the vendor (e.g., IP address, editing habits, etc.)may be provided as compensation. As another example, where advertisingfrom one or more vendors is displayed to a user of the second remotecomputing device, the one or more vendors may provide statistical datasummarizing or aggregating certain monitorable activities of one or moreusers. In still yet another embodiment, receiving compensation for thetransmitting step may further comprise permitting access to the firstcomponent media asset at a first compensation level. For example, thefirst compensation level may permit free access to the first componentmedia asset. In a related embodiment, receiving compensation for thetransmitting step may further comprise permitting access to thecomposite media asset or the second component media asset at a secondcompensation level. As an example, while access to the first componentmedia asset may be free, access to other components or composite mediaassets may incur a usage fee.

In another embodiment of receiving operation 1210, receivingcompensation comprises compensating a user of the second remotecomputing device by a user of a third remote computing device, receivingcompensation from the user of the second remote computing device andcompensating a user of the first remote computing device. For example, auser who edits an existing edit specification may be compensated by athird party who makes further edits to or some other use of the editspecification. In this example, compensation would then be paid back tothe user originating the existing edit specification.

In yet another embodiment, method 1200 may further comprise based uponthe information identifying the first component media asset, identifyingthe second component media asset, and transmitting, to the second remotecomputing device, information identifying the second component mediaasset. For example, information from a composite media asset (e.g.,defining the relationship of or identifying component media assets) maybe transmitted to the second remote computing device.

FIG. 13 illustrates an embodiment of a method 1300 for insertingadvertising into a composite media asset and receiving compensationtherefor. In the method 1300, a composite media asset edit specificationis received in receiving operation 1302 where the composite media assetedit specification identifies a first component media asset and a secondcomponent media asset. As discussed previously, composite media assetsmay be comprised of one or more component media assets (e.g., videofiles). For example, one or more video files may be combined together tocreate a video montage. As another example, different types of content(e.g., video, audio, images) may be combined within a standard format.For instance, images may be joined with video such that a slideshow ispresented. In this example, the individual images and video clips maythemselves remain as separate or distinguishable files sharing a commonedit specification.

In receiving operation 1304, a request, by one or more vendors, toincorporate at least one advertisement with the composite media asset isreceived. As one example, by way of illustration and not of limitation,a coffee shop may request that an advertisement (e.g., as a video slate)advertising its coffee be inserted between a first and second componentmedia asset comprising video files.

In incorporating operation 1306, the at least one advertisement isincorporated with the composite media asset. In one embodiment,advertisements may be incorporated with a composite media asset byinserting the at least one advertisement within the composite mediaasset. For example, advertisements may be spliced in between componentmedia assets. As another example, advertisements may overlay (e.g.,using watermarking technology, banner ads, tickers, etc.) a rendering ofthe composite media asset. In another embodiment, advertisements may beincorporated with a composite media asset by adding the at least oneadvertisement before or after the composite media asset. In receivingoperation 1308, compensation from the one or more vendors for theincorporating step is received. For example, continuing with the exampleof the coffee shop, the vendor requesting advertising may compensate theinsertion of advertising at the end of a composite media asset.

In yet another embodiment of incorporating operation 1306, incorporatingthe at least one advertisement with the composite media asset maycomprise rendering at least one advertisement with the composite mediaasset. For example, advertising may be displayed, where renderingcomprises displaying the composite media asset, alongside the renderedcomposite media asset. As another example, an advertisement may be heardon speakers separate from where a composite media asset comprising audioinformation is rendered.

In another embodiment of method 1300, the at least one advertisement isassociated with contextual information that is derived from renderingthe composite media asset edit specification. For example, where acomposite media asset edit specification is accessible and rendered froman Internet page, the surrounding contextual information from theInternet page may be associated with the advertisement. In anotherembodiment, the at least one advertisement is associated with thecomposite media asset edit specification. For example, the advertisementmay be associated with the composite media asset edit specification suchthat the advertisement is rendered alongside or in addition to renderingof the composite media asset edit specification.

FIG. 14 illustrates an embodiment, similar to the discussion of themethod illustrated by FIG. 13, of another method 1400 for insertingadvertising into a composite media asset and receiving compensationtherefor. In a receiving operation 1402, a composite media asset editspecification, where the composite media asset edit specificationidentifies a first component media asset and a second component mediaasset, is received. In receiving operation 1404, a request, by one ormore vendors, to incorporate at least one advertisement with thecomposite media asset is received. In incorporating operation 1406, theadvertisement is incorporated with the composite media asset. Intransmitting operation 1408, the composite media asset is transmitted toa remote computing device.

In receiving operation 1410, upon rendering of at least a portion of thecomposite media asset at the remote computing device, compensation fromthe one or more vendors is received. As discussed previously, and asknown to those of ordinary skill in the art, rendering may take manyforms. In one embodiment, receiving a composite media asset withincorporated advertising may not engender compensation by one or morevendors until some or all of the advertising is rendered (e.g., viewedon a display or output on a speaker) by a user of the remote computingdevice.

In another embodiment of method 1400, the at least one advertisement isrendered with the composite media asset. As discussed previously, theadvertisement may be rendered alongside or in addition to the renderingof the composite media asset. In yet another embodiment, the at leastone advertisement is associated with contextual information that isderived from rendering the composite media asset edit specification. Instill yet another embodiment, the at least one advertisement isassociated with the composite media asset edit specification.

FIG. 15 illustrates a method 1500 for reusing component media assets andreceiving compensation therefor. In maintaining operation 1502, alibrary is maintained that includes at least a first edit specificationcorresponding to a first composite media asset, the first compositemedia asset including at least one component media asset. For example, alibrary may comprise a publicly-available repository for multiple editspecifications for a plurality of composite media assets. In receivingoperation 1504, a request, from a remote computing device, to generate asecond edit specification for a second composite media asset isreceived, where the second edit specification for the second compositemedia asset identifies the at least one component media asset and thesecond composite media asset including the at least one component mediaasset. In generating operation 1506, the second edit specification isgenerated. As one example, generating may further comprise rendering(e.g., as the second edit specification is generated in real-time) thesecond edit specification on an image rendering device. For example, asecond edit specification may be generated by “remixing” or modifying apreexisting edit specification. In receiving operation 1508,compensation for the generating step is received. In one embodiment, thecompensation may be in the form of monetary compensation. In anotherembodiment, as discussed previously, receiving compensation may comprisereceiving compensation from a user of the remote computing device andcompensating a user associated with the first edit specificationcorresponding to the first composite media asset and/or permittingaccess to the at least one component media asset. In yet anotherembodiment, as also discussed previously, receiving compensation maycomprise receiving user information from one or more vendors and/orpermitting access to the first composite media asset.

In a further embodiment, method 1500 may further comprise, upongenerating the second edit specification, notifying a user of the firstremote computing device about the existence of the second editspecification. For example, a user generating a first edit specificationmay be notified of child or derivative edit specifications based on hisor her original (first) edit specification. In another embodiment,method 1500 may further comprise, upon generating the second editspecification, notifying a user of the of the first remote computingdevice of at least one difference between the first edit specificationand the second edit specification. For example, a user of the firstremote computing device may desire to become aware of the differencesbetween their original or first edit specification and any subsequentlygenerated edit specifications. In yet another embodiment, method 1500may further comprise receiving compensation that comprises compensatinga user of the second remote computing device by a user of a third remotecomputing device, receiving compensation from the user of the secondremote computing device; and compensating a user of the first remotecomputing device.

Those skilled in the art will recognize that the methods and systems ofthe present disclosure may be implemented in many manners and as suchare not to be limited by the foregoing exemplary embodiments andexamples. In other words, functional elements being performed by asingle or multiple components, in various combinations of hardware andsoftware or firmware, and individual functions, can be distributed amongsoftware applications at either the client or server level or both. Inthis regard, any number of the features of the different embodimentsdescribed herein may be combined into single or multiple embodiments,and alternate embodiments having fewer than or more than all of thefeatures herein described are possible. Functionality may also be, inwhole or in part, distributed among multiple components, in manners nowknown or to become known. Thus, myriad software/hardware/firmwarecombinations are possible in achieving the functions, features,interfaces and preferences described herein. Moreover, the scope of thepresent disclosure covers conventionally known manners for carrying outthe described features and functions and interfaces, and thosevariations and modifications that may be made to the hardware orsoftware or firmware components described herein as would be understoodby those skilled in the art now and hereafter.

While various embodiments have been described for purposes of thisdisclosure, various changes and modifications may be made which are wellwithin the scope of the present invention. For example, an editspecification may further include instructions for layering multipleaudio tracks together or splicing different audio samples together. Asanother example, the online reconfiguration of three-dimensional gamingenvironments (e.g., the editing of a 3D game environment) may beaccomplished using the methods and systems described for generatinglow-resolution media assets corresponding to high-resolution mediaassets. As yet another example, the methods and systems described hereinmay permit interactive reconfiguration of Internet web pages.

Numerous other changes may be made which will readily suggest themselvesto those skilled in the art and which are encompassed in the spirit ofthe invention disclosed and as defined in the appended claims.

1. A method for reusing component media assets and receivingcompensation therefor, the method comprising: maintaining a libraryincluding at least a first edit specification corresponding to a firstcomposite media asset, the first composite media asset including atleast one component media asset; receiving a request, from a remotecomputing device, to generate a second edit specification for a secondcomposite media asset, the second edit specification for the secondcomposite media asset identifying the at least one component media assetand the second composite media asset including the at least onecomponent media asset; generating the second edit specification; andreceiving compensation for the generating step.
 2. The method of claim 1further comprising: upon generating the second edit specification,notifying a user of the first remote computing device about theexistence of the second edit specification.
 3. The method of claim 1further comprising: upon generating the second edit specification,notifying a user of the of the first remote computing device of at leastone difference between the first edit specification and the second editspecification.
 4. The method of claim 1 wherein the compensation is inthe form of monetary compensation.
 5. The method of claim 1 whereinreceiving compensation comprises: receiving compensation from a user ofthe remote computing device; and compensating a user associated with thefirst edit specification corresponding to the first composite mediaasset.
 6. The method of claim 1 wherein receiving compensationcomprises: compensating a user of the second remote computing device bya user of a third remote computing device; receiving compensation fromthe user of the second remote computing device; and compensating a userof the first remote computing device.
 7. The method of claim 1 whereinreceiving compensation comprises: receiving user information from one ormore vendors.
 8. The method of claim 1 wherein receiving compensationfor the generating step further comprises: permitting access to thefirst composite media asset.
 9. The method of claim 1 wherein receivingcompensation for the generating step further comprises: permittingaccess to the at least one component media asset.
 10. The method ofclaim 1 wherein the generating the second edit specification furthercomprises: rendering the second edit specification on an image renderingdevice.